The shamed MP, who insisted he would retain his seat and £65,000 salary until 2015, received a 12- month community order.

He was fined £3,000, banned from entering pubs for three months and given a weekend curfew.

Joyce was also ordered to pay £1,400 to his victims, who included two MPs. Labour chiefs, who have already suspended the former Army major, last night said he was likely to be expelled from the party.

He has not only besmirched himself and the people of Falkirk, but Parliament too. With this conviction for his criminal, thuggish behaviour, the parliamentary authorities should act and expel him

Eric Joyce’s predecessor Dennis Canavan

An MP sentenced to more than a year in prison is disqualified from the Commons under the Representation of the People Act 1981.

The only way of forcing Joyce out of the Commons now is for a majority of MPs to pass a motion of expulsion.

Labour leader Ed Miliband and Prime Minister David Cameron were last night urged to dust down the procedure, last used in 1954.

Mr Joyce’s predecessor, Dennis Canavan, who was expelled from Labour for standing as an independent at Holyrood, said: “He has not only besmirched himself and the people of Falkirk, but Parliament too. With this conviction for his criminal, thuggish behaviour, the parliamentary authorities should act and expel him.”

Speaking outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Joyce said: “Clearly, it is a matter of considerable shame. I’ve been duly punished and have been lucky to avoid prison. I am very ashamed.”

Asked if he had an alcohol problem, he said: “I think drink was an aggravating factor, that’s something I have to deal with personally. Not everyone who drinks gets involved in fights.”

Magistrates heard an astonishing story of the brawl. Joyce first attacked MP Stuart Andrew before lashing out at aides Luke Mackenzie and Ben Maney as well as Labour whip Phillip Wilson.

A barman told officers there was a “happy and friendly” atmosphere before Joyce “flipped” on February 22.

Zoe Martin, prosecuting, said: “Mr Joyce started to sing very loudly... that was noticed by several people in the bar. Nobody seemed bothered by it.”

Witnesses said Joyce then shouted: “There are too many Tories in this bar” and later: “The bar was full of f****** Tories.”

Joyce flew into a rage when Mr Andrew said: “You do not treat an MP like that in a place like this.”

After the first punch was thrown, Mr Mackenzie became involved, moving between the two. Joyce “punched him with a glancing blow to the nose” before being restrained, Ms Martin told the court.

Mr Maney then became involved, trying to restrain Joyce again.

Joyce “looked straight at him and headbutted him, causing a cut to his inside upper lip,” the prosecutor said.

One witness described Joyce’s demeanour as looking “possessed and completely out of it”.